Cruises are a great way to get to see a variety of holiday destinations in a short space of time. They are (perhaps unfairly) often perceived as being, well, abit boring – but it completely depends on what you are after in a holiday. If you want non-stop excitement and adrenalin rushes, yes – cruises probably aren’t for you. Or if you want a great beach holiday – then likewise, cruises won’t really fulfil your needs. But if you just want to get away and unwind then a cruise may just have what you’re looking for.
So what is a cruise? Well there is a large variety of different companies to choose from, but the general idea is that you stay onboard a large cruise ship for around two weeks, and you visit several destinations in various countries along the voyage. Passengers have the option of disembarking at these locations and heading off for a daytrip to see what these places have to offer. Back on board the ship, there are a variety of activities to indulge in such as sunbathing, pool games, golf, gambling, nightlife and of course great food (usually). There is a lot to do, and most of it is enjoyed at a nice leisurely pace – perfect to get away from it all.
P & O and Princess are two of the two biggest luxury cruise operators. Their cruises cover several different continents – many start in Southampton and venture into the Mediterranean sea, stopping off in the South of France, Italy, Greece and many other locations. Other cruises may require you to fly to the Caribbean where the ship will embark on a voyage around a selection of sun-drenched islands.
A Caribbean Cruise
Cruises have typically been regarded as being very expensive affairs for the middle classes – however sue to the current economic climate sales are down and operators are offering outstanding deals to fill up their rooms. Barter with the sales people on the phone for an almost guaranteed further discount – if you don’t ask you don’t get. I would recommend a cruise as something to do at least once during your life – you may love it and go every year from then on. Cruises are definitely the basis of highly relaxing holidays, allowing you to experience many of the best holiday destinations in a short time span – you may discover somewhere you love and decide to turn it into a much longer trip at a later date.